RADNOR — Villanova quarterback John Robertson’s smile is so bright and his happy-go-lucky demeanor so evident that it might be hard for somebody to believe that he is a quarterback of anything more than a flag football team that gathers on weekend afternoons.

Opposing defensive coordinators know better. After all, this season Robertson is among the leaders in the Colonial Athletic Association accounting for 251.4 yards of total offense per game and 27 touchdowns, 14 passing.

In a 41-10 win at Delaware on Saturday that gave Villanova (8-3, 6-2 CAA) a share of the CAA title and, after Old Dominion later defeated James Madison, the conference’s automatic bid in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, Robertson accounted for two touchdowns and 339 total yards. Included were 134 yards rushing, giving him 936 on the season, second all-time at VU among quarterbacks. Chris Whitney ran for 987 in 2009.

The numbers are more impressive when considering Robertson is a redshirt freshman who did not take his first collegiate snap until the second quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener against Temple. The 19-year-old took over for sophomore Chris Polony and had 213 yards of total offense and one touchdown run against the Owls.

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Robertson’s effort propelled him to the starting role the following week when Villanova hosted Fordham for its home opener. In inclement conditions, Robertson threw his first-career touchdown pass and also ran for a score in a 28-13 victory.

“Going into the season my goal was to be the starter,” said Robertson, a North Jersey native who starred for Paramus High. “When I got the chance to start, I knew I had to do well to show them I can play.”

Show them he has. Coach Andy Talley cannot say enough about the job his signal caller has done.

“He’s done a fantastic job handling the offense,” said Talley. “We are all really amazed because as a redshirt last year he did not get a lot of coaching. Our concern was with his reads in the passing game, which he would negotiate very well. He also took his running to another level.”

Robertson guided Villanova to victories in each of his first four starts. The streak was snapped at home against Richmond on Oct. 6, a 28-17 defeat. In that game Robertson threw three interceptions, but he also totaled 425 yards that went down as third-most in VU annals. He threw for 308 yards that day.

One week after the Richmond defeat, the shoulders of the 6-1, 210-pounder seemed to lift the VU sideline during an impressive win at then-No. 3 Old Dominion. After falling behind 14-0 in the first 10 minutes, Villanova rattled off 38 unanswered points with Robertson accounting for four touchdowns, three on the ground. He ran for 189 yards, a school record for a quarterback, and threw for 151. It is such head-turning efforts that have some wondering about what kind of career Robertson can have on the Main Line.

“He could be one of the very best to play here,” said Talley. “He is far in advance of anybody that we have had here as a freshman quarterback.”

Talley went on to say that Robertson reminds him of a faster Chris Whitney. Whitney quarterbacked the Wildcats from 2007-10 and compiled 8,401 total yards, good for fourth all-time at VU.

While Robertson has quite a way to go before he can even think about such a lofty yardage total, he has quickly earned the respect of his coaches and teammates for his ability. Sure, he has a fun and friendly personality. However, Robertson is to be taken very seriously on the gridiron.

“Off the field I am happy, outgoing and I like to say hello to everybody and make sure everybody is in a good mood,” he said. “It may appear that I am not serious, but I do take a lot of things seriously. On the field I feel I take everything serious.”

It can be difficult for a young player to command the respect of his teammates, especially the veteran players in the huddle. There have been no such issues with Robertson, who is developing into quite a leader.

“He does a good job of interfacing with the whole team,” said Talley. “He does not have an ego and I think the players know that. He is such a good player and so good at what he is doing, yet he plays it down. He has a lot of humility and the players like that. He is a very likeable kid.”

Robertson is also pretty serious when it comes to video games. It can get intense when he and his teammates are gathered in his apartment playing Call of Duty.

“We play it all the time,” he said. “That is our big game and we do a lot of yelling. People are wondering what’s going on with the hollering.”

Robertson also enjoys movies and he is not picky when it comes to genre, though he has no interest in horror flicks. However, he has struck plenty of fear into opposing coaches who view game film of Robertson leading the Wildcats up and down the field. That is something that has become a common sight on the Main Line.